Rawalpindi, October 17, 2025: A major suicide attack targeting security forces in Mir Ali was foiled on Thursday when a militant rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall of a military camp, security sources said.
The vehicle exploded upon impact, after which three assailants attempted to storm the compound on foot. Troops swiftly engaged and killed all three outside the camp in what officials described as a “prompt and decisive” response. No casualties were reported among the security personnel.
The attempted assault is the latest in a series of militant attacks across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Bajaur, Datta Khel, and Laki Marwat, amid heightened tensions along the Pak-Afghan border and intensified counter-terrorism operations in the region.
In Bajaur, security forces intercepted a vehicle carrying hundreds of kilograms of explosives linked to the militant outfit Fitna al-Khawarij. The vehicle, allegedly smuggled from Afghanistan and intended for detonation in a civilian area, was safely destroyed without any loss of life.
In Datta Khel, North Waziristan, an intelligence-based operation (IBO) led to the killing of six militants following over a week of surveillance. Among the dead was Fitna al-Khawarij commander Mehbub, also known as Muhammad, while three others were injured.
Separately, in Laki Marwat, an exchange of fire between the local Peace Committee and a militant faction resulted in the deaths of five militants, including Armdi, commander of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Gul Bahadur group.
In Bajaur’s Tangai area of Tehsil Mamund, security forces also destroyed a suspicious vehicle abandoned overnight. No casualties were reported.
Meanwhile, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that security forces have killed 34 India-backed terrorists in multiple operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the past three days.
“From 13 to 15 October, 34 khawarij belonging to the Indian-proxy group Fitna al-Khawarij were eliminated during intelligence-based operations in North Waziristan, South Waziristan, and Bannu,” the ISPR said.
The military stated that the operations are part of Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, a national counter-terrorism campaign aimed at eradicating foreign-sponsored militancy and extremism through coordinated efforts among the armed forces, law enforcement agencies, and civilian authorities.
Pakistan maintains that Fitna al-Khawarij is receiving support from the Afghan Taliban regime, allegedly acting in India’s interest and waging a proxy conflict on its behalf.
Tensions along the Pak-Afghan border spiked last weekend when Afghan forces launched unprovoked fire at multiple locations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, prompting a swift and forceful response from Pakistan. Several Afghan military posts were destroyed and dozens of Afghan soldiers and militants were reportedly killed.
Following Pakistan’s precision strikes on Taliban and terrorist hideouts in Kandahar and Kabul, a 48-hour ceasefire was agreed upon at Kabul’s request.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both sides have committed to “constructive dialogue” and “sincere efforts to find a positive solution to a complex but solvable issue.”
Pakistan has cautioned that any violation of the ceasefire, which took effect at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, would compel a strong response.
